*Mark 9:38-50
Jesus teaches his disciples to welcome those who do good in his name and warns against leading others astray.
- Welcoming Others in Jesus’ Name
- John, one of Jesus’ disciples, reports seeing someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name, but he and the others tried to stop him because he was not following them.
- Jesus rebukes them, stating that anyone who performs a miracle in his name cannot speak evil of him, indicating that such actions are evidence of faith.
- He emphasizes that whoever is not against them is for them, highlighting the inclusivity of those who do good in his name.
- Warning Against Causing Others to Stumble
- Jesus delivers a stern warning against causing “little ones” who believe in him to stumble, comparing it to a severe punishment such as drowning with a millstone tied around one’s neck.
- He underscores the gravity of avoiding sin, even if it means drastic measures like cutting off a hand or foot or gouging out an eye to enter life without being maimed.
- Jesus vividly describes Gehenna, a place of unquenchable fire, as the fate of those who succumb to sin, highlighting the eternal consequences of leading others astray.
- Salt and Peace
- Jesus encourages saltiness among his followers, symbolizing their purity and preservation of righteousness in the world.
- He urges them to live at peace with one another, emphasizing the importance of unity and harmony among believers.
Mark 9:38-50 teaches us to be open-hearted, careful in our actions, and serious about our faith. Jesus reminds His disciples that anyone doing good in His name is on the same team, even if they aren’t part of their group. This shows us that we should not be quick to judge others who follow Christ differently. He also warns us not to lead others into sin and to remove anything in our lives that pulls us away from God. We can apply this by being kind to other believers, avoiding things that harm our faith, and living in a way that helps others grow closer to God.
Mark 9:38-50 (WEB)
9:38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”39 But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.42 “Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, 44 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched— 46 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 47 If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, 48 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”